University of Phoenix to Offer Next-Generation MBA; Program Helps Working Professionals Solve Real-World Business Issues

Business Wire, July 13, 2005

PHOENIX -- Imagine this: An entrepreneur develops a large corporation from the ground up. Since his expertise has been outside the accounting and financial realms of the organization, he has relied on the chief financial officer to ensure the organization remains in compliance with regulations that govern the business. To his disappointment, his risk management officer, who is tasked with establishing the accounting controls, quits shortly before he must report on the corporation's compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley requirements. What would you do?

From preparing companies for compliance, globalization or maximization of shareholder value, today's business leaders are facing some thought-provoking issues. But are they adequately prepared to address them?

While business schools are under fire for focusing on theoretical concepts at the expense of practical relevance, University of Phoenix is applying proven teaching and learning methodologies to help working professionals solve real-world business problems.

Next-Generation MBA focuses on significant management, growth opportunity and leadership challenges based on business scenarios validated by Fortune 1000 companies. Several simulations are woven into the curriculum to support the learning necessary to solve the problems embedded in the scenarios. They allow students to make real-time decisions, just as they would in the workplace.

"The complex issues confronting managers require more than experience and technical expertise to resolve," said Brian Lindquist, associate vice president of academic affairs and dean of the College of Graduate Business and Management at University of Phoenix. "Above all, managers must have keen judgment and exceptional problem-solving capabilities."

Coincidentally, these are among the skills in most demand in the workplace, according to a survey conducted for University of Phoenix in December 2004. In the survey of 330 employers in America's fastest-growing industries, executives said they are looking for leaders with critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills who also are team players with a strong learning aptitude.

Through Next-Generation MBA, the University helps students hone these skills by identifying potential problems from information received through e-mail, personal conversations and meetings. Working in learning teams and using a nine-step model, they create and defend their solutions to everything from communication and ethical issues to shareholder wealth and human capital development.

"Next-Generation MBA is similar to the teaching model used in medicine and law, which enables students to apply their knowledge in real-life situations," said University of Phoenix President Laura Palmer Noone. "Our program challenges students not only to solve a contemporary problem, but also to determine how it could have been averted in the first place."

Next-Generation MBA will be offered beginning this month at University of Phoenix campuses across the country, as well as online. The University already boasts the largest MBA program in the United States, with more than 35,000 students as of Feb. 28, 2005.

For more information on the Next-Generation MBA program, call 800 MY SUCCESS or visit phoenix.edu.

University of Phoenix, which has served working adults for nearly 30 years, has made its mission to remove barriers to education for busy adults by providing accessible scheduling and rigorous degree programs centered on professional goals. The University is the largest private accredited university in North America and owned by parent company Apollo Group Inc. As of May 31, 2005, 295,500 students attend Apollo Group Inc. institutions. Of those, 154,500 students attend through Apollo's Online campuses. The University's focus on small interactive classes, highly personalized teaching and comprehensive academic accountability systems has won praise and recognition by noteworthy academic and business leaders. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.